KABUL/ISHQABAD(SW): Afghan students in Turkmenistan said that the Ministry of Higher Education has forgotten them and turn a blind eye to their protest against delay in payment of the stipend.
The students said in a complaint letter that it has been a year since they have been deprived of their stipend. The number of protestors signing the letter was around 70. They have said in the letter that as winter arrives, it would be very difficult for them to pay for their travel expenses and accommodation if such situation continues.
Talabuddin Ghiasi, students’ representative, told SalamWatandar that they have always shared such problems with officials at Afghanistan Embassy in Eshqabad and with Consulate General in Mari but they only expressed their sympathy and did not do anything to solve the problem.
He said that both the ambassador and council general told the students that they have several times reported the letter of students to Afghanistan government but their efforts have been in vain.
Massoud Ahmadi, one of the students, said that Afghanistan spend millions on holding different sessions and programs but hesitate to pay its students abroad who are desperate for their stipend.
He said that this shows that the government always makes excuses and does not intend to pay the students.
According to Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ rules, the government is obliged to pay monthly stipend to the students who go abroad on a scholarship. It is said that the stipend for each Afghan student in Turkmenistan is equivalent to $ 60 a month.
Officials at the Ministry of Higher Education said that they have fulfilled all their responsibilities towards students based in Turkmenistan and that in this particular issue the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ was responsible.
Akhtar Mohammad Abir, an official at the Ministry of Higher Education, told Salam Watandar, that the issue of the students was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through letter No 287 on 22 July 2015.
He added that Ministry of Foreign Affairs should prepare a list of stipend for students who study in 14 countries and send it to the Ministry of Finance. It shows that Ministry of Higher Education only confirms the students abroad and the money process is up to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shekib Mostaghni, spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the ministry, consulate general and political offices should solve the problems that the students face.
He said that delaying the stipend does not indicate poor performance of the ministry as the ministry only functions as a facilitator.
The students based in Turkmenistan have warned that they would go on hunger strike if their problems were not solved.
ENDS
